Lt Col Harry L. Edwards (Retired), age 91, passed away January 27, 2016 in San Antonio Texas. He was born September 14, 1924 in Minerva, Texas and served his country proudly from 1942 to 1973 in the United States Air Force. His military career started in Shreveport, Louisiana as a radio mechanic, where he entered the Army Air Corps at 18 years of age. He attended basic training at Randolph Field in San Antonio and was then transferred to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to train as a basic radio operator. He moved to Boca Raton Beach, Florida as a non-flying cadet in the OCS and then attended radio theory and communications school for Morse code at Yale University, where he graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant. Harry's initial assignments as a communications officer were in Cairo, Egypt and Benghazi, Libya.
During a break in service at the end of World War II, he met his future wife at the University of Texas at Austin. Harry returned to active duty and attended the Russian Language Course at the Army Language School in Monterey, California while juggling the care of newborn twins. Since that time, except for a tour as an instructor of ROTC at Auburn University, he was assigned in the Special Intelligence career field. Harry served as the Commander of the 6924th Security Squadron at Da Nang Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. This unit served as the cryptologic focal point for signal intelligence collection and support activities for the tactical air forces. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his achievements. Harry served a second tour in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. During this period, he was responsible for responding to the 7th Air Force requirements for intelligence support and as a cryptologic advisor and was awarded the Bronze Star. Harry served as Chief of the Operations Program Division at Headquarters of the United States Air Force Security Services and retired in 1973, with over 30 years of military service. Additional assignments included Austin, Texas; London, England; Bremerhaven and Frankfurt, Germany; and Ankara, Turkey.
After military retirement, Harry taught high school history, international relations, and government courses at McCollum High School for over 10 years. Harry enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, and bowling. In his later years he especially enjoyed beating his daughters at checkers. He kept his wicked sense of humor to the end.
Lt Col Edwards was preceded in death by his mother, Lola Lee Coleman; father, Edwin Edwards; his six brothers and sisters; and his late wife, Leta Triece Edwards who also served as a WAVE during World War II. He is survived by his five daughters: twin Sandra Shirley; twin Sharon Mize (John) and their son Taylor Mize (Mackenzie); Pamela Rivas (Frank) and their children Frank Ryan, Rebecca and Mark Rivas; Teresa Edwards; and Valerie Carstens (Ron) and their daughters Briana Fiser (Rip) and Brittany Wilder (Jason).
We would like to thank the employees of the ACE unit at Christus Santa Rosa, Chandler Assisted Living, Chandler Estate, and VITAS Hospice for their excellent care of our father and the kindness they bestowed, especially in the last months.
Private funeral services and internment will be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors.
.
Published in Express-News on Jan. 30, 2016
During a break in service at the end of World War II, he met his future wife at the University of Texas at Austin. Harry returned to active duty and attended the Russian Language Course at the Army Language School in Monterey, California while juggling the care of newborn twins. Since that time, except for a tour as an instructor of ROTC at Auburn University, he was assigned in the Special Intelligence career field. Harry served as the Commander of the 6924th Security Squadron at Da Nang Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. This unit served as the cryptologic focal point for signal intelligence collection and support activities for the tactical air forces. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his achievements. Harry served a second tour in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. During this period, he was responsible for responding to the 7th Air Force requirements for intelligence support and as a cryptologic advisor and was awarded the Bronze Star. Harry served as Chief of the Operations Program Division at Headquarters of the United States Air Force Security Services and retired in 1973, with over 30 years of military service. Additional assignments included Austin, Texas; London, England; Bremerhaven and Frankfurt, Germany; and Ankara, Turkey.
After military retirement, Harry taught high school history, international relations, and government courses at McCollum High School for over 10 years. Harry enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, and bowling. In his later years he especially enjoyed beating his daughters at checkers. He kept his wicked sense of humor to the end.
Lt Col Edwards was preceded in death by his mother, Lola Lee Coleman; father, Edwin Edwards; his six brothers and sisters; and his late wife, Leta Triece Edwards who also served as a WAVE during World War II. He is survived by his five daughters: twin Sandra Shirley; twin Sharon Mize (John) and their son Taylor Mize (Mackenzie); Pamela Rivas (Frank) and their children Frank Ryan, Rebecca and Mark Rivas; Teresa Edwards; and Valerie Carstens (Ron) and their daughters Briana Fiser (Rip) and Brittany Wilder (Jason).
We would like to thank the employees of the ACE unit at Christus Santa Rosa, Chandler Assisted Living, Chandler Estate, and VITAS Hospice for their excellent care of our father and the kindness they bestowed, especially in the last months.
Private funeral services and internment will be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors.
.
Published in Express-News on Jan. 30, 2016
Lt Col Harry L. Edwards (Retired), age 91, passed away January 27, 2016 in San Antonio Texas. He was born September 14, 1924 in Minerva, Texas and served his country proudly from 1942 to 1973 in the United States Air Force. His military career started in Shreveport, Louisiana as a radio mechanic, where he entered the Army Air Corps at 18 years of age. He attended basic training at Randolph Field in San Antonio and was then transferred to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to train as a basic radio operator. He moved to Boca Raton Beach, Florida as a non-flying cadet in the OCS and then attended radio theory and communications school for Morse code at Yale University, where he graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant. Harry's initial assignments as a communications officer were in Cairo, Egypt and Benghazi, Libya.
During a break in service at the end of World War II, he met his future wife at the University of Texas at Austin. Harry returned to active duty and attended the Russian Language Course at the Army Language School in Monterey, California while juggling the care of newborn twins. Since that time, except for a tour as an instructor of ROTC at Auburn University, he was assigned in the Special Intelligence career field. Harry served as the Commander of the 6924th Security Squadron at Da Nang Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. This unit served as the cryptologic focal point for signal intelligence collection and support activities for the tactical air forces. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his achievements. Harry served a second tour in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. During this period, he was responsible for responding to the 7th Air Force requirements for intelligence support and as a cryptologic advisor and was awarded the Bronze Star. Harry served as Chief of the Operations Program Division at Headquarters of the United States Air Force Security Services and retired in 1973, with over 30 years of military service. Additional assignments included Austin, Texas; London, England; Bremerhaven and Frankfurt, Germany; and Ankara, Turkey.
After military retirement, Harry taught high school history, international relations, and government courses at McCollum High School for over 10 years. Harry enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, and bowling. In his later years he especially enjoyed beating his daughters at checkers. He kept his wicked sense of humor to the end.
Lt Col Edwards was preceded in death by his mother, Lola Lee Coleman; father, Edwin Edwards; his six brothers and sisters; and his late wife, Leta Triece Edwards who also served as a WAVE during World War II. He is survived by his five daughters: twin Sandra Shirley; twin Sharon Mize (John) and their son Taylor Mize (Mackenzie); Pamela Rivas (Frank) and their children Frank Ryan, Rebecca and Mark Rivas; Teresa Edwards; and Valerie Carstens (Ron) and their daughters Briana Fiser (Rip) and Brittany Wilder (Jason).
We would like to thank the employees of the ACE unit at Christus Santa Rosa, Chandler Assisted Living, Chandler Estate, and VITAS Hospice for their excellent care of our father and the kindness they bestowed, especially in the last months.
Private funeral services and internment will be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors.
.
Published in Express-News on Jan. 30, 2016
During a break in service at the end of World War II, he met his future wife at the University of Texas at Austin. Harry returned to active duty and attended the Russian Language Course at the Army Language School in Monterey, California while juggling the care of newborn twins. Since that time, except for a tour as an instructor of ROTC at Auburn University, he was assigned in the Special Intelligence career field. Harry served as the Commander of the 6924th Security Squadron at Da Nang Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. This unit served as the cryptologic focal point for signal intelligence collection and support activities for the tactical air forces. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his achievements. Harry served a second tour in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. During this period, he was responsible for responding to the 7th Air Force requirements for intelligence support and as a cryptologic advisor and was awarded the Bronze Star. Harry served as Chief of the Operations Program Division at Headquarters of the United States Air Force Security Services and retired in 1973, with over 30 years of military service. Additional assignments included Austin, Texas; London, England; Bremerhaven and Frankfurt, Germany; and Ankara, Turkey.
After military retirement, Harry taught high school history, international relations, and government courses at McCollum High School for over 10 years. Harry enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, and bowling. In his later years he especially enjoyed beating his daughters at checkers. He kept his wicked sense of humor to the end.
Lt Col Edwards was preceded in death by his mother, Lola Lee Coleman; father, Edwin Edwards; his six brothers and sisters; and his late wife, Leta Triece Edwards who also served as a WAVE during World War II. He is survived by his five daughters: twin Sandra Shirley; twin Sharon Mize (John) and their son Taylor Mize (Mackenzie); Pamela Rivas (Frank) and their children Frank Ryan, Rebecca and Mark Rivas; Teresa Edwards; and Valerie Carstens (Ron) and their daughters Briana Fiser (Rip) and Brittany Wilder (Jason).
We would like to thank the employees of the ACE unit at Christus Santa Rosa, Chandler Assisted Living, Chandler Estate, and VITAS Hospice for their excellent care of our father and the kindness they bestowed, especially in the last months.
Private funeral services and internment will be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors.
.
Published in Express-News on Jan. 30, 2016
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